Owners of other Kia and Hyundai vehicles such as the Optima, Forte, Cadenza, K900, Rio, Sorento, Sedona, Soul, Elantra, Veloster, Sonata, Azera, Tucson, Santa Fe, Genesis and Equus may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The replacement bulbs with their part numbers are as follows: Brake # 2357, Reverse # 921, Rear Turn Signal # 1156, Rear Side Marker # 2825 and Parking Light # 2357.

The tools needed to remove the tail light housing and replace the bulbs include a standard Phillips head screwdriver and possibly also a plastic automotive panel removal tool.

Remove the two screws along the inner edge of the tail light assembly by turning them counterclockwise with a Phillips head screwdriver.

Set the two screws aside in a safe place.

Try to pull the tail light housing straight off the rear of the vehicle.

The housing is still held in place by three friction fasteners (two pegs in grommets and one slot on a pop rivet anchor).

If you have trouble removing the housing, gently pry along the front edges with a plastic automotive panel removal tool or a small flathead screwdriver covered in a micro fiber cloth to prevent scratches.

Rotate the black plastic brake light bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise and remove it from the housing.

Push a new dual filament # 2357 bulb in to the socket and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place.

Rotate the grey plastic reverse bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise and remove it from the housing.

Pull the old bulb straight out of the socket.

Push in a new # 921 straight in to the socket.

I found it easier to access the small rear side marker bulb socket by first unplugging the black plastic electrical connector.

Rotate the side marker bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise and remove it from the housing.

If necessary, you may also use any other miniature wedge base bulbs such as the # W5W, 168, 194, 158 or a compatible LED bulb.

Re-insert the side marker socket in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place.

Be sure to plug in the black plastic electrical connector.

There is also a slot on the front corner of the housing that slides on to a white plastic pop rivet anchored in the metal body panel.

Push the tail light housing back in to place.

Try to avoid over tightening the two screws to prevent from cracking the plastic inner edge of the housing.

The parking light bulb is located in a separate housing on the tailgate door.

Set the access cover aside in a safe place.

Push the bulb down in to the socket and rotate it 1/4 turn counterclockwise before pulling it straight out.

Push a new # 2357 bulb in to the socket and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to lock it in place.

Insert the tabs on the lower edge of the access panel in to the opening first and then pop in the upper edge.

There are two possible methods. I was successful with the 2nd method further down this page.

The first method is by going in through the wheel well liner just behind the rear tire. The second method is by going in through the under bumper panel.

Rotate the screws counterclockwise and then set them aside in a safe place.

You can wedge the wheel well liner against the tire to keep it open.

I wasn't able to get a good grip on the socket, so I had to continue with the 2nd method.

Under Bumper Cover Method - Remove the black plastic screws in the fasteners below the rear bumper.

Then pry out the larger outer section of the fastener.

Set the screws and fasteners in place before pulling back the under bumper plastic panel.

Push the old bulb down in to the socket and rotate it 1/4 turn counterclockwise before pulling it out.

Push a new # 1156 bulb in to the socket and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place.

Replace the larger outer pieces of the fasteners in to the under bumper cover.

Then pop in the black plastic screws in to the fasteners to secure them in place.

Test the new tail light bulbs by having someone step on the brake pedal, activate the hazard signals and place the transmission in reverse.

Check out my other 2011-2015 Kia Sportage DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.